We begin this message by looking at the second time Jesus is tempted by the devil. Jesus is located in the wilderness; a dry, barren, unsociable, isolated, deserted place communing with God forty days and nights then the tempter comes... Certain people consider fasting forty days and nights as an achievement but they are not located in a physical wilderness at the time of the fast.
Jesus overcame the first temptation in the wilderness by correctly quoting in context, the Rhema Word of God at the devil (Deut 8:3). Notice that Jesus never used philosophy, debate or discussion with the Word of God. He stuck the sword of the Spirit into the devil's heart. This is a pattern and a principle for the Christian believer to follow when dealing with sinful opportunities presented by the devil. The devil could not manipulate, entice or influence Jesus Christ to sin. Jesus would not be brought under the power of the kingdom of darkness. Jesus was told to command the stones to bread! Command means to exercise authority which He has over a certain person or thing. The devil wanted Jesus to demonstrate power. However, Jesus is not a puppet pulled along by any alliance other than His Heavenly Father, (John 2:24). He is not a politician following the party rhetoric or the majority of the people's wishes, unlike Pilate (the government) or the Pharisees (the religious bigoted fraternity). If anyone questions the divine authenticity of the book of Deuteronomy they are wrong because Jesus quoted from it as His source.
Looking, more closely at the following scriptures (James 1:2,13-15, Romans 7:15-23), we can see that temptation to the believer can come from within or from without.
What do I mean by that? Temptations can come from an external source being presented and made readily available to you. Or they can come from an inward lust, a weakness and inclination for certain things, like an internal desire, yearning or craving, seeking fulfilment.
It is not always the devil or one of his agents presenting the opportunity to sin (fall). Considering the life of Moses he forsook the pleasures of Eygpt being the grandson of the Pharaoh and all that entailed, rather to suffer reproach, with the people of God (Hebrews 11:24-25). Sin being referred to as pleasure for a season. If it was not pleasurable, people would not commit and practice it.
In the book of James it refers to the within after being offered from an outside source. In the book of Romans it is portrayed more as an infectious disease, present within carnal bodily members referred to as "sinful nature" or what can be termed "the flesh". For any person, a believer in Jesus Christ or unbeliever to think you cannot be tempted and fall into sin means you are in pride at the height of deception. (Galatians 6:1).
With reference to the original sin of Adam in the garden of Eden known also as the "Fall of man". It was no a physical fall that happened to Adam and his wife that lead to expulsion from the garden it was spiritual and moral. All of creation everything under Adam for which he previously had dominion over also got corrupted. Weeds in the garden, briers, thorns, rust on the metal products, fruit that will perish and decay the land will not yield a harvest so easily. It will be harder through sweat and toil to get the produce of the ground. Child bearing pains in birthing children, no longer clothed in glory but dressed and covered with animals clothes. The concept of atonement is introduced by the slaying of the animals and the blood being shed for pardon and forgiveness reading Genesis chapter 3.
Regarding Jesus, because He has a divine nature ( impeccable), He can only be tempted externally. Now the Bible says Jesus was tempted in all points yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
The thee temptations in the wilderness presented by the devil to Jesus touched His body, His soul and His spirit. The first being a physical temptation to the body, stones to bread to relieve the physical hunger. The second being a soulish temptation throw yourself down from the pinnacle of the temple, it is somewhat spectacular in nature very eye catching to to the on looker. It is very much like a bunge jump with no safety net or bunge.
The final one is about worship, loyalty, mission, commitment and reward. It is aimed at the spirit of Jesus. He is being enticed by a reward. Nevertheless He must offer His worship and allegiance to the devil to get it. He must sell His soul His complete life over to total darkness and be an instrument of Satan on order to gain all the kingdoms of this world and their glory.
In conclusion, it is apparent that Jesus never compromised, negotiated, succumbed to manipulation, gave into fear, intimidation or domination of the devil. He maintained, being straight and true faithfully committed to a divinely appointed mandate.
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